Research
Adherence
The global expansion of ultra-processed food markets is driven by political economy factors, including trade liberalization, the activities of transnational food and beverage corporations (TFBCs), and inadequate regulatory policies, rather than solely by consumer demand.
Support policies that regulate the marketing of UPFs, especially to children, and restrict the influence of transnational food corporations on food policy. Advocate for trade agreements that prioritize public health over corporate interests.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
These developments are closely linked with the industrialization of food systems, technological change and globalization, including growth in the market and political activities of transnational food corporations and inadequate policies to protect nutrition in these new contexts.
Why this rating
Based on a synthesis review of literature on food systems and political economy.
Source
Ultra‐processed foods and the nutrition transition: Global, regional and national trends, food systems transformations and political economy drivers
Phillip Baker et al. · Obesity Reviews · 2020
DOI 10.1111/obr.13126
narrative_reviewCited 1,110×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- High consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is a primary driver of the global nutrition transition, leading to increased risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease due to their role as vectors for excessive intake of added sugars, sodium, and trans-fats.Good
- Ultra-processed foods act as significant vectors for 'risk ingredients' (added sugars, sodium, trans-fats, and cosmetic additives), contributing disproportionately to the intake of these harmful components compared to unprocessed foods.Good
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